‘Strong likelihood’ that body is Chelsea King's

‘Keep her spirit alive,’ father tells gathering at vigil

Thousands of people gathered last night at St. Michael Catholic Church in Poway for a candlelight vigil in honor of missing teenager Chelsea King. The Poway High senior disappeared Thursday, and Sheriff Bill Gore said a body found yesterday near Lake Hodges was likely hers.
— Sean M. Haffey / UNION-TRIBUNE

Thousands of people gathered last night at St. Michael Catholic Church in Poway for a candlelight vigil in honor of missing teenager Chelsea King. The Poway High senior disappeared Thursday, and Sheriff Bill Gore said a body found yesterday near Lake Hodges was likely hers.
— Sean M. Haffey / UNION-TRIBUNE

Chelsea King - Full press conference

A body found in a shallow grave Tuesday is believed to be that of 17-year-old Chelsea King, whose disappearance last week led to the arrest of a registered sex offender, authorities said.

WHAT'S NEXT

Arraignment: John Albert Gardner III is scheduled to be arraigned today at 2:30 p.m. in San Diego Superior Court.

Charges: Gardner was arrested on suspicion of rape and murder in connection with 17-year-old Chelsea King’s disappearance. In filing charges today, prosecutors may include one or more special allegations that could make him eligible for the death penalty if convicted.

Defense attorney: Counsel will be appointed for Gardner unless he or his family retains a private attorney.

Jailed: Gardner is being held in solitary confinement at the Central Jail in downtown San Diego.

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The father of Poway teenager Chelsea King struggled to maintain his composure last night as he stood before thousands at a somber candlelight vigil, just hours after authorities told him a body found in a shallow grave was likely his daughter’s.

“One of the nicknames that I’ve always called my Chelsea is ‘my angel,’ ” Brent King told those who gathered at St. Michael Catholic Church in Poway. “She’s my angel forever.”

He added: “Keep her spirit alive for us.”

A man then yelled from the crowd, “We love you!”

King, with his wife, Kelly, by his side, replied: “We love you, too.”

After five breathless days that saw more than 6,000 volunteers comb North County for Chelsea, a 17-year-old Poway High School student, the search ended yesterday when authorities announced they had found a body near Lake Hodges.

San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said it was a “strong likelihood” that it was Chelsea, who had been missing since Thursday when she went for a jog at Rancho Bernardo Community Park.

Investigators spent the rest of the day and evening searching the area for evidence.

The Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed the body was removed late Tuesday from Lake Hodges.

John Albert Gardner III, 30, a registered sex offender from Lake Elsinore, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of rape and murder in Chelsea’s disappearance and is scheduled to appear in court today. His mother and stepfather live in a townhouse on Matinal Road in Rancho Bernardo, near the park.

Gore said investigators discovered the body shortly after 1 p.m. about 10 feet from a tributary that leads to the lake — an area that had been searched extensively and is about a half-mile from a parking lot where Chelsea’s car was found six days ago. He said a shoe had been recovered previously in the general area.

Gore said the girl’s parents were devastated when he informed them.

“They were holding out hope, as we all were, that we would find Chelsea alive, and this was our worst fear that we would find her as we did today,” he said.

Shortly after Gore’s announcement, two Poway High students stood outside the school crying and hugging each other.

“I had so much hope for her,” said Leandra Lyons, 15, a sophomore. “I was just hoping by the end of the week we’d have some good news.”